New research: Injection of bone marrow stem cells has provided a promising treatment strategy for osteoarthritis. Although a number of studies have demonstrated that injection of bone marrow stem cells produced desirable results, the mechanism underlying this effect has not been well explained. This is also a question many patients ask, “How do stem cells work?”
In a laboratory the researchers sought to provide this explanation. Here is what they came up with: Bone marrow stem cells increases cell proliferation of chondrocytes and inhibits inflammatory activity in osteoarthritis.
In common language – it regrew cartilage and stop damaging chronic inflammation. 1
These healing effects of stem cells are supported in numerous studies. In one study, doctors followed patients for five years after stem cell injections for knee osteoarthritis. They found at FIVE YEAR follow up stem cell treated knees were still better than before treatment.2 We call that the “Curative effect.”
More interesting is a second study from doctors in China who announced that in their animal studies, stem cells injected into the site of a bone fracture, promoted rapid and accelerated bone healing. 3
Here is what new research concluded: “Regenerative medicine (PRP and stem cells) may ultimately have profound implications in the way knee osteoarthritis is managed”4
The implications of the above research has helped revolutionize the way standardized medicine addresses problems of bone degeneration and necrosis (bone death).
So much so that researchers are looking at the osteoblasts, specialized mesenchyme-derived (stem) cells accountable for bone synthesis, remodelling and healing. What they are finding is that these cells rebuild bones through various mechanisms including cell homing or cell signalling. This is where stem cells communicate with the surrounding tissue to help them navigate to the site of the wound and differentiate themselves into the material to build bone.5 Other research suggests positive results even in cases of Avascular necrosis. 6
Stem cells can also modulate the immune response of individuals and positively influence the microenvironment of the stem cells already present in the diseased tissue.7 The stem cells changed the environment.
The research above shows, cartilage can be regrown, bone can be regrown, chronic inflammation (swelling) shut off, healing turned on – this is why doctors are saying - stem cells can provide a curative effect.
Should you consider Stem Cell Therapy for your bone-on-bone? The Darrow Wellness Institute has long been recognized for utilizing advanced, non-surgical options for degenerative joint disease including Stem Cell Therapy.
1. Zhang Q, Chen Y, Wang Q, Fang C, Sun Y, Yuan T, Wang Y, Bao R, Zhao N. Effect of bone marrow-derived stem cells on chondrocytes from patients with osteoarthritis. Mol Med Rep. 2016 Feb;13(2):1795-800. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2015.4720. Epub 2015 Dec 28.
2. Davatchi F, Sadeghi Abdollahi B, Mohyeddin M, Nikbin B. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis: 5 years follow-up of three patients. Int J Rheum Dis. 2015 May 20. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.12670. [Epub ahead of print]
3. Huang S, Xu L, Zhang Y, Sun Y, Li G. Systemic and local administration of allogeneic bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells promotes fracture healing in rats. Cell Transplant. 2015 Feb 2. [Epub ahead of print]
4. Richards MM, Maxwell JS, Weng L, Angelos MG, Golzarian J. Intra-articular treatment of knee osteoarthritis: from anti-inflammatories to products of regenerative medicine. Phys Sportsmed. 2016 May;44(2):101-8. doi: 10.1080/00913847.2016.1168272. Epub 2016 Apr 4.
5. Titorencu I, Pruna V, Jinga VV, Simionescu M. Osteoblast ontogeny and implications for bone pathology: an overview. Cell Tissue Res. 2014 Jan;355(1):23-33. doi: 10.1007/s00441-013-1750-3. Epub 2013 Nov 29.
6. Calori GM, Mazza E, Colombo M, Mazzola S, Mineo GV, Giannoudis PV. Treatment of AVN using the induction chamber technique and a biological-based approach: Indications and clinical results. Injury. 2013 Sep 19. pii: S0020-1383(13)00423-3. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2013.09.014. [Epub ahead of print
- 5. Qi Y, Yan W. Mesenchymal stem cell sheet encapsulated cartilage debris provides great potential for cartilage defects repair in osteoarthritis. Med Hypotheses. 2012 Sep;79(3):420-1. Epub 2012 Jun 1.